High school sports continues to inspire in 2017

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Dowling senior Sam Olson (11) tumbles over Dowling junior Zach Roering (19) but manages to make the catch for the out on Johnston Saturday, July 29, 2017, during their 4A state baseball championship game at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora, The Des Moines Register

Xavier junior Matthew Mims fires a pass after scrambling to recover the loose ball against Mount Pleasant during the first round of the Iowa High School state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

West Branch's Paige Miller kicks the final hurdle during her 400 meter hurdle race at the state track meet on Friday, May 19, 2017, at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. She would finish third overall. Brian Powers/The Register

Pella's Aaron Downs (2) and Xavier, Cedar Rapids' Justin Schneider (26) dive for the ball during their class 3A state final football game at the UNI Dome on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Cedar Falls. Brian Powers/The Register

Dowling Catholic's Anthony Coppola (82) catches a pass during the first half of their 4A state semi-final football game against Ankeny Centennial at the UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, in Cedar Falls. Dowling takes a 24-7 lead into halftime Brian Powers/The Register

Dowling Catholic's Jayson Murray (2) rushes for Dowling's first touchdown during the first half of their class 4A state final football game at the UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Cedar Falls. Dowling takes a 21-7 lead into the half. Brian Powers/The Register

Regina's Isaac Vollstedt (44) reaches for a pass that is just out of reach during the second half of their class 1A state final football game against Van Meter at the UNI Dome on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Cedar Falls. Van Meter would go on to win 28-7. Brian Powers/The Register

Pocahontas Area fans fall down after Elle Ruffridge hits her 7th 3 point shot in the first half of the 3A Girls State semifinal against Center Point-Urbana Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Bettendorf senior Suni Lane throws down one of his two dunks against Sioux City East during the Iowa High School state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Valley senior Nate Dennis runs the ball up to the basket as North senior Sincere Galbreath applies pressure during the Iowa High School state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Gehlen Catholic baseball coach Marty Kurth holds up his trophy to the crowd as he is honored for reaching 500 career wins Friday, June 30, 2017, before their game against Akron-Westfield in Le Mars. Michael Zamora/The Register

Gehlen Catholic baseball coach Marty Kurth (right) tips his hat to the crowd as he is honored for reaching 500 career wins Friday, June 30, 2017, while his son, Ty (back, from left), daughter Kendra and wife Jen look on in Le Mars. Kurth is likely coaching his final season after losing sight in both eyes. He currently relies on assistants and team members to help him keep up with games. Michael Zamora, The Des Moines Register

Johnston senior Jack Dreyer (4) holds up a pair of bases to the crowd as he celebrates their win over Dowling Saturday, July 29, 2017, in the 4A state baseball championship game at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora, The Des Moines Register

Waterloo Columbus head volleyball coach Hanna Nuss pumps her fist after the Sailors won the second set against Sioux Center in the Class 3A title match during the 2017 Iowa high school state volleyball tournament on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, in Cedar Rapids. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Edgewood-Colesburg's Hope Mather jumps the hurdle Thursday, May 18, 2017, as she competes in the girls 1A shuttle relay prelims on the first day of the 2017 State Track and Field Championship at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Elizabeth Masten of Benton celebrates after her 4x200 relay team won their heat and would eventually come in second at the state track meet on Friday, May 19, 2017, at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Brian Powers/The Register

Albia's Jacob Clouse gets some help up from his teammates as they celebrate their win in the 2A boys 4x400 meter relay Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the state track and field championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Mid-Prairie sophomore Marie Hostetler (right) holds sister Anna Hostetler Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, as the two are overcome with emotion after finishing first and second in the 2A girls race at the State Cross County Championships in Fort Dodge. Michael Zamora/The Register

Ankeny runners and supporters climb off one anothers shoulders after cheering on their team Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, during the State Cross County Championships in Fort Dodge. Michael Zamora/The Register

Sibley-Ocheyedan's Dylan Schuck celebrates as he gets the pin after trailing in the third period against Wilton's Trey Brisker in their 145-ound match Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 during the class 1A semifinals at the 2017 State Wresting Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Shadrach Zarwie (back) puts his head down as he is defeated by Council Bluff's McGwire Midkiff in their 126 pound match Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 during class 3A opening round at the 2017 State Wresting Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Norwalk and Xavier players get caught in traffic in front of the goal during the class 2A state soccer championship game against Norwalk and Xavier. Norwalk won the match 2-1. Kelsey Kremer/The Register

Regina's Nick Pechous celebrates after scoring a goal during the class 1A state soccer championship game against Iowa City Regina and Davenport Assumption. Regina won the match 1-0. Kelsey Kremer/The Register

Urbandale junior Skyler Shellmyer reacts after the home plate umpire called her out at home after appearing to slide safely across the plate in a 2-1 loss to Pleasant Valley during the 2017 Iowa high school state softball tournament on Thursday, July 20, in Fort Dodge. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Valley's Hannah Fry reacts to a play during the Class 5A state softball game against West Des Moines Valley and Pleasant Valley on July 18, 2017, in Fort Dodge. Valley fell to Pleasant Valley 4-6. Kelsey Kremer/The Register

Members of the Waukee softball team raise the state runner-up trophy after a 8-2 loss to Pleasant Valley during the 2017 Iowa high school state softball tournament on Friday, July 20, in Fort Dodge. Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Dowling senior pitcher Colin Lacey (1) celebrates as they get the final out for the win over Iowa City West Friday, July 28, 2017, during their 4A state semifinal game at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora, The Des Moines Register

Iowa City West's Oliver Martin looks up at the scoreboard Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 as he places first in the 50 yard freestyle at the 2017 boys state swim meet in Marshalltown. Michael Zamora/The Register

Win or lose, high school sports are a captivating part of growing up in Iowa.

Young athletes work year round, from free throws to finals, to compete at all levels of sports across the state, and the Register's photojournalists captured the high and lows of prep sports over the last year.

From celebrating the state's top scoring girls' basketball player to honoring a longtime coach losing his sight, these are the moments that, no matter the score, triumphed in 2017.